Hartford, CT – In what has become a clear pattern of behavior, Tom Foley again recently hedged on common sense gun laws he said he would veto, made false claims on Governor Malloy’s record, and lied about educational progress.

In a recent interview, Foley refused to support Connecticut’s common sense gun laws as he claimed that mentally ill people “are out roaming around, and it’s not good for them because a lot of them are dysfunctional or significantly dysfunctional in that they’re not able to care for themselves and are just living out of boxes.”

What world is Tom Foley living in?

“Would Tom Foley say the same words about our common sense laws to a parent who lost a child in Newtown? Or a family-member of a victim in Santa Barbara? Or perhaps he would prefer to say that directly to those suffering from a mental illness who, according to Foley, are ‘just living out of boxes’,” said Democratic Party spokesman Devon Puglia.

Further, he falsely claims that Governor Malloy has “bribed” companies with “corporate welfare” and hasn’t done enough to help struggling schools. Neither is true. His comments not only reflect gross distortions, but also the reckless hypocrisy and reckless promises we can expect from the Foley campaign.

Mr. Foley ignores basic facts:

• Connecticut has the nation’s strictest common sense gun laws, passed overwhelmingly in the wake of the Newtown shootings.

• Graduation rates have improved in each of the last four years.

• Governor Malloy has increased education spending by $237 million, with the vast majority of those dollars going to schools that need it most.

• Unemployment is at its lowest point in five years.

• More than 50,000 private sector jobs have been created under this administration.

• The Governor has engaged with over 1,000 small businesses, creating and maintaining over 14,000 jobs.

“Tom Foley continues to have trouble with the facts – each day he loses credibility. He creates straw men by painting Connecticut as the worst place in the world, claiming individual residents want to leave this state because taxes are too high, and then decrying the Governor’s working with businesses to keep our economy strong through incentives. Either this is hypocrisy at its worst, or Tom Foley has no idea how the state economy works,” said Democratic Party spokesman Devon Puglia.

Background:

Malloy Signed Common Sense Gun Control Legislation

Malloy Signed Gun Control Legislation That Expanded The State’s Assault Weapon Ban, Banned High-Capacity Magazines, Expanded Background Checks For Gun Purchases, And Increased Sentences For Gun-Related Crimes. In April 2013, Governor Malloy signed comprehensive gun control legislation. That legislation expanded Connecticut’s assault weapons ban and required anyone who owned the newly-banned weapons to register them. The law banned the sale, purchase, or transfer of high-capacity magazines, but allowed owners of high-capacity magazines to keep them if they are declared with the state. [Office Of Legislative Research, 5/17/13; Public Act 13-3, Signed 4/4/13]

Since 2010, The High School Graduation Rate Has Increased For The Fourth Consecutive Year

Connecticut’s High School Graduation Rate Increased For The Fourth Consecutive Year, A Cumulative Increase Of 3.7%. “Governor Dannel P. Malloy, joined by Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor, today announced that Connecticut’s high school graduation rate increased for the fourth consecutive year and that several persistent graduation rate gaps are closing. […] The statewide average increased by 0.7 percent in 2013 as compared to 2012, representing a cumulative increase of 3.7 percent over the 2010 graduation rate.” [Press Release, Office of Governor Dan Malloy, 5/14/14]

Malloy Has Increased Funding To Connecticut’s Schools

OPM: “Despite The Challenges Of A Slow Economy, The Governor Has Largely Maintained Funding For Grant Programs Benefitting Our Communities And Has Actually Increased Education Aid By $237 Million; Most Of It Targeted To Our Neediest School Districts.” [OPM, FY2015 Budget Introduction]

Malloy “Championed” $1.5 Billion Investment Into UConn Science, Technology, Engineering, And Math Programs, Hiring Over 250 New Faculty. [Public Act 13-233, Signed 6/19/13; UConn Today, 6/5/13; Hartford Courant, 1/31/13]

State Education Cost Sharing Grants Since 2000:

2000-01: 1,388,087,257

2001-02: 1,458,823,631

2002-03: 1,519,499,954

2003-04: 1,522,700,000

2004-05: 1,563,094,274

2005-06: 1,619,487,101

2006-07: 1,627,321,377

2007-08: 1,809,133,470

2008-09: 1,889,180,324

2009-10: 1,889,607,093

2010-11: 1,889,607,093

2011-12: 1,889,607,093

2012-13: 1,939,607,087

2013-14: 1,990,341,602

2014-15: 2,039,540,614

[Connecticut State Department of Education, Bureau of Grants Management, ECS Entitlements, accessed 5/17/14]

Since December 2010, Connecticut’s Private Sector Has Added More Than 50,000 Jobs…

[Connecticut Department of Labor, accessed, 5/17/14]

…And Connecticut’s Unemployment Rate Has Dropped To A Five Year Low

Hartford Courant Headline: “State’s Unemployment Below 7 Percent For First Time In Five Years” [Hartford Courant, 5/15/14]

Small Business Express Has Helped More Than 1,000 Companies Create or Retain More Than 14,000 Jobs

Malloy Announced The Small Business Express Program Has Helped More Than 1,000 Connecticut Companies Create And Retain About 14,000 Jobs.  “Governor Dannel P. Malloy, joined by Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Catherine Smith and other state and local officials, today announced that the state’s Small Business Express Program (EXP) has now helped more than 1,000 Connecticut companies that are creating and retaining about 14,000 jobs for Connecticut residents. Governor Malloy announced this milestone at Microboard Processing, Inc. (MPI), a woman-owned small business in Seymour and the 1,000th company to receive assistance through the Governor’s signature job creation program. […] Administered by DECD, EXP was designed to provide small business with access to capital, increase skill development, and encourage private investment and hiring. The program supports the retention and growth of small business in Connecticut using a stream-lined process that provides financial assistance in the form of revolving loan funds, job creation incentives and matching grants. To date, DECD has awarded over $136 million through EXP to help 1,015 small businesses – ranging from ‘mom and pop’ stores to advanced manufacturing firms – create or retain 14,014 jobs.” [Press Release, Governor Malloy, 3/10/14]

Foley Slashed Payroll and Collected Millions in Management Fees as Bibb Slid Into Bankruptcy

Foley Sold An Unprofitable Division Of Bibb In 1985, Cutting Payroll By About 1,000. According to Forbes, “Foley was on his way. First priorities: raise money and cut costs. Even before the buyout closed in October 1985, Foley struck a deal to sell Bibb’s unprofitable carpet yarn division for $11.5 million; that lopped the payroll by about 1,000. He scrapped management’s plan for a $ 35 million capital expansion program — more savings — and contracted with two mills to supply Bibb with woven goods. He brought in new managers who responded quickly to Foley‘s incentive compensation plans. More than $ 7million in bonuses have been given. As if from a textbook, Bibb worked as Foley said it would. Pre-Foley net earnings were $6 million. Last year: $11 million.” [Forbes, 9/5/88]

Hartford Courant: Foley‘s NTC Group Earned Millions In Management Fees “Even As Bibb Struggled.” According to the Hartford Courant, “Foley‘s Greenwich-based holding company, the NTC Group, collected management fees from Bibb of $4 million each year from 1992 to 1994, then $3.4 million in 1995, even as Bibb struggled and began losing money in 1994, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He estimates he personally collected about 20 percent of those fees. While Foley has enjoyed success in business overall, his Bibb venture contrasts starkly with the rosy-hued picture of his career painted in his campaign literature.” [Hartford Courant, 5/21/10]

Foley Said NTC Group Made About $20 Million Over 10 Years From Bibb In Management Fees. According to the Associated Press State & Local Wire, “In response to Malloy’s continued attacks focusing on the Bibb Co., Foley said his company, NTC Group, bought the Macon, Ga.-based textile company in 1985 when it was losing money and turned it around. He said the recession of 1990 and increasing competition from overseas hurt the company, which went through a restructuring in 1996 that ended with bondholders owning and controlling Bibb. Foley said he had no role in management or operations after 1996, and Bibb closed its largest fabric mill in Columbus, Ga., in 1998. He said Bibb’s new owner filed for bankruptcy protection in 2001. Foley said NTC Group did make about $20 million over 10 years from Bibb in routine management fees.” [Associated Press State & Local Wire, 10/11/10]

Bibb Underwent A Prepackaged Bankruptcy Where Foley Lost Most Of His Ownership Stake In Exchange For His Debt. According to the Hartford Courant, “As the ad claims, Bibb did file for bankruptcy after the debt-heavy company ran into cash-flow trouble and missed a loan payment. But that happened 11 years after Foley took over, and while the ad makes no specific claim about the timetable, the quick pace of the script gives the inaccurate impression of a fairly compact time period. The copy also could easily be viewed as suggesting the bankruptcy heralded the demise of the business, and that after the filing, 2,000 workers promptly lost their livelihoods. But the bankruptcy was a “prepackaged” reorganization in which Foley’s creditors continued running the company after swapping the debt they were owed in exchange for nearly all of Foley’s equity in the business.” [Hartford Courant, 9/22/10]

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